Tuberculosis infection control program - CDC guidelines

TB Infection Control (2)

Dr. Tong Ka Io

2013.07

TB-IC Program

TB-IC Program1. Assign supervisory responsibility and authority

(TB risk assessment, TB-IC policies, training of HCWs) Train the persons responsible Designate TB resource person

2. Develop written TB-IC plan1. Prompt recognition and airborne precautions of patients

3. Conduct problem evaluation

4. Perform contact investigation

TB-IC Program5. Collaborate with the health department to

develop administrative controls5. Risk assessment, TB-IC plan, patient management,

screening of HCWs, coordination …

6. Implement environmental controls5. AII room …

7. Implement respiratory-protection program

8. Perform training and education of HCWs

9. Plan for accepting patients transferred from another setting

TB Risk assessment Persons at Highest Risk for Exposure to and

Infection with M. tuberculosis

Persons Whose Condition is at High Risk for Progression From LTBI to TB Disease

Characteristics of a Patient with TB Disease That Increase the Risk for Infectiousness

Environmental Factors That Increase the Risk for Transmission of M. tuberculosis

Risk for Health-Care–Associated Transmission of M. tuberculosis

Transmission ofM. tuberculosis

Environment

Health care

ProgressionExposure

Infectiousness

© Tong Ka Io 2013

Persons at Highest Risk for Exposureto and Infection with M. tuberculosis Close contacts – persons who

share the same air space in a household or other enclosed environment for a prolonged period (days or weeks) with a person with pulmonary TB disease

Foreign-born persons from geographic areas with a high incidence of TB disease

Residents and employees of congregate settings that are high risk (e.g., correctional facilities, long-term–care facilities, and homeless shelters)

HCWs who serve patients who are at high risk

HCWs with unprotected exposure to a patient with TB disease before the identification and correct airborne precautions of the patient

Certain populations who are medically underserved, have low income, and have an increased incidence, as defined locally

Infants, children, and adolescents exposed to adults in high-risk categories

Persons Whose Condition is at High Riskfor Progression From LTBI to TB Disease Persons infected with HIV

Persons infected with M. tuberculosis within the previous 2 years

Infants and children aged <4 years

Persons with a history of untreated or inadequately treated TB disease, including persons with chest radiograph findings consistent with previous TB disease

Persons who use tobacco or alcohol, illegal drugs, including injection drugs and crack cocaine

Persons with any of the following clinical conditions or other immunocompromising conditions

silicosis, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, certain hematologic disorders (leukemias and lymphomas), other specific malignancies (e.g., carcinoma of the head, neck, or lung), body weight ≥10% below ideal body weight, prolonged corticosteroid use, other immunosuppressive treatments, organ transplant, end-stage renal disease, and intestinal bypass or gastrectomy

Characteristics of a Patient with TB DiseaseThat Increase the Risk for Infectiousness Presence of cough

Cavitation on chest radiograph

Positive acid-fast bacilli (AFB) sputum smear result

Respiratory tract disease with involvement of the larynx

Respiratory tract disease with involvement of the lung or pleura

Failure to cover the mouth and nose when coughing

Incorrect, lack of, or short duration of antituberculosis treatment; and

Undergoing cough-inducing or aerosol-generating procedures (e.g., bronchoscopy, sputum induction, and administration of aerosolized medications)

Environmental Factors That Increase the Risk for Transmission of M. tuberculosis Exposure to TB in small, enclosed spaces

Inadequate local or general ventilation that results in insufficient dilution or removal of infectious droplet nuclei

Recirculation of air containing infectious droplet nuclei

Inadequate cleaning and disinfection of medical equipment

Improper procedures for handling specimens

Risk for Health-Care–Associated Transmission of M. tuberculosis

Setting

Occupational group

Prevalence of TB in the community

Patient population

Effectiveness of TB infection‑control Measures

Aerosol-generating procedures

Hierarchy of IC

Administrative controls1. Assigning responsibility for TB-IC in the setting

2. Conducting a TB risk assessment of the setting

3. Developing and instituting a written TB-IC plan to ensure prompt detection, airborne precautions, and treatment of persons who have suspected or confirmed TB disease

4. Ensuring the timely availability of recommended laboratory processing, testing, and reporting of results to the ordering physician and IC team

5. Implementing effective work practices for the management of patients with suspected or confirmed TB disease

Administrative controls6. Ensuring proper cleaning and sterilization or disinfection

of potentially contaminated equipment

7. Training and educating HCWs regarding TB, with specific focus on prevention, transmission, and symptoms

8. Screening and evaluating HCWs who are at risk for TB disease or who might be exposed to M. tuberculosis

9. Applying epidemiologic-based prevention principles, including the use of setting-related IC data

10. Using appropriate signage advising respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette

11. Coordinating efforts with the local or state health department

Environmental controls Primary environmental controls

Controlling the source of infection by using local exhaust ventilation (e.g., hoods, tents, or booths)

Diluting and removing contaminated air by using general ventilation

Secondary environmental controls Controlling the airflow to prevent contamination of air

in areas adjacent to the source (AII rooms)

Cleaning the air by using high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration or UVGI

Respiratory-Protection Controls Implementing a respiratory‑protection program

Training HCWs on respiratory protection

Training patients on respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette procedures

TB risk classification

•Settings in which person‑to-person transmission of M. tuberculosis has occurred during the preceding year

Potential ongoing transmission

•Settings in which HCWs will possibly be exposed to persons with TB disease or to clinical specimens that might contain M. tuberculosis

Medium risk

•Settings in which persons with TB disease are not expected to be encountered

Low risk

© Tong Ka Io 2013

Evidence of person‑to-person transmission of M. tuberculosis Clusters of TST or BAMT conversions

HCW with confirmed TB disease

Increased rates of TST or BAMT conversions

Unrecognized TB disease in patients or HCWs

Recognition of an identical strain of M. tuberculosis in patients or HCWs with TB disease identified by DNA fingerprinting

Managing TB Patients: General Recommendations

Prompt triage

TB airborne precautions

AII room practices

Diagnostic procedures

Initiation of treatment

Prompt triage – Think TB Primary TB risk to HCWs is patient with

undiagnosed or unrecognized infectious TB

Promptly initiate AII precautions and manage or transfer patients with suspected or confirmed TB

Ask about and evaluate for TB

Check for signs and symptoms

Mask symptomatic patients

Separate immunocompromised patients

Initiating TB airborne precautions any patient who has symptoms or signs of TB

disease, or

who has documented infectious TB disease and has not completed antituberculosis treatment

Airborne Infection Isolation (AII) Room Should be single-patient rooms in which environmental

factors and entry of visitors and HCWs are controlled

All HCWs who enter should wear at least N95 disposable respirators

Visitors may be offered respiratory protection (i.e., N95) and should be instructed by HCWs on the use

Have specific requirements for controlled ventilation, negative pressure, and air filtration

Should have a private bathroom

Discontinuing TB airborne precautions

When infectious TB disease is considered unlikely and either

1. another diagnosis is made that explains the clinical syndrome or

2. the patient has three consecutive, negative AFB sputum smear results

Each of the three sputum specimens should be collected in 8–24-hour intervals, and at least one specimen should be an early morning specimen

Discharge to Home with positive AFB sputum smear results A specific plan exists for follow-up care with the local TB‑control

program

The patient has been started on a standard multidrug antituberculosis treatment regimen, and DOT has been arranged

No infants and children aged <4 years or persons with immunocompromising conditions are present in the household

All immunocompetent household members have been previously exposed to the patient

The patient is willing to not travel outside of the home except for health-care–associated visits until the patient has negative sputum smear results

Return to work criteria for symptomatic individuals TB disease is ruled out based on physical exam, chest x-

ray, and bacteriology (if indicated); or

TB disease is diagnosed and treated, and the individual is determined to be non-infectious as defined below:

Had three negative AFB sputum smears obtained 8-24 hours apart, with at least one being an early morning specimen; and

Responded to antituberculosis treatment that will probably be effective, based on susceptibility results; and

Had been determined to be noninfectious by a physician knowledgeable and experienced in managing TB disease.

Managing TB Patients: Considerations for Special Settings

Settings in Which Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Infectious Tuberculosis (TB) Disease are not Expected to be Encountered

Setting Administrative Controls Environmental Controls Respiratory-protection Controls

Triage only: Initial evaluation of patients who will transfer to another setting

• Implement a written infection-control plan for triage of patients with suspected or confirmed TB disease. Update annually.

• Promptly recognize and transfer patients with suspected or confirmed TB disease to a facility that treats persons with TB disease.

• Before transferring the patient out of this setting, hold the patient in an area separate from health-care workers (HCWs) and other persons.

Settings in which patients with suspected or confirmed TB disease are rarely seen and not treated do not need an airborne infection isolation (AII) room.

Place any patient with suspected or confirmed TB disease in an AII room if available or in a separate room with the door closed, away from others and not in a waiting area.

Air-cleaning technologies (e.g., high efficiency particulate air [HEPA] filtration and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation [UVGI] can be used to increase the number of equivalent air changes per hour [ACH]).

Settings in which patients with suspected or confirmed TB disease are rarely seen and not treated do not need a respiratory-protection program.

If the patient has signs or symptoms of infectious TB disease (positive acid-fast bacilli [AFB] sputum smear result), consider having the patient wear a surgical or procedure mask (if possible) during transport, in waiting areas, or when others are present.


Inpatient Settings in Which Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Infectious TB Disease are Expected to be Encountered


• Perform an annual risk assessment for the setting.

• Implement a written infection-control plan for the setting and evaluate and update annually.

• Provide TB training, education, and screening for HCWs as part of the infection-control plan.

• Establish protocols for problem evaluation.

• When possible, postpone nonurgent procedures that might put HCWs at risk for possible exposure to M. tuberculosis until patients are determined to not have TB disease or are noninfectious.

• Collaborate with state or local health departments when appropriate.

• In settings with a high volume of patients with suspected or confirmed TB disease, at least one room should meet requirements for an AII room.

Air-cleaning technologies (e.g., HEPA filtration and UVGI) can be used to increase the number of equivalent ACH.

• For HCWs, visitors,¶ and others entering the AII room of a patient with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease, at least N95 disposable respirators should be worn.

• If the patient has signs or symptoms of infectious TB disease consider having the patient wear a surgical or procedure mask, if possible, (e.g., if patient is not using a breathing circuit) during transport, in waiting areas, or when others are present.



Patient rooms • Place patients with suspected or confirmed TB disease in an AII room.

• Persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or who have other immunocompromising conditions should especially avoid exposure to persons with TB disease.

• At least one inpatient room should meet requirements for an AII room to be used for patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease.

• Air-cleaning technologies (e.g., HEPA filtration and UVGI) can be used to increase the number of equivalent ACH.


• If the patient has signs or symptoms of infectious TB disease (positive AFB sputum smear result), consider having the patient wear a surgical or procedure mask, if possible, (e.g., if patient is not using a breathing circuit) during transport, in waiting areas, or when others are present.



Emergency departments(EDs)

• Implement a written infection-control plan for triage of patients with suspected or confirmed TB disease. Update annually.

• Patients with signs or symptoms of infectious TB disease should be moved to an AII room as soon as possible.

• In settings classified as medium risk or potential ongoing transmission, at least one room should meet requirements for an AII room to be used for patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease.


• For HCWs, visitors,¶ and others entering the AII room of a patient with suspected or confirmed TB disease, at least N95 disposable respirators should be worn.

• If the patient has signs or symptoms of infectious TB disease (positive AFB sputum smear result), consider having the patient wear a surgical or procedure mask, if possible, (e.g., if patient is not using a breathing circuit) during transport, in waiting areas, or when others are present.



Intensive care units (ICUs) • Place patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease in an AII room, separate from HCWs and other patients, if possible.

• In settings with a high volume of patients with suspected or confirmed TB disease, at least one room should meet requirements for an AII room to be used for such patients.

• Bacterial filters should be used routinely in breathing circuits of patients with suspected or confirmed TB disease and should filter particles 0.3 μm in size in unloaded and loaded situations with a filter efficiency of ≥95%.


• If the patient has signs or symptoms of infectious TB disease and is suspected of being contagious (positive AFB sputum smear result), consider having the patient wear a surgical or procedure mask, if possible (e.g., if patient is not using a breathing circuit) during transport, in waiting areas, or when others are present.



Surgical suites • Schedule a patient with suspected or confirmed TB disease for surgery when a minimum number of HCWs and other patients are present, and as the last surgical case of the day to maximize the time available for removal of airborne contamination. For postoperative recovery, place patients in a room that meets requirements for an AII room.

• If a surgical suite has an operating room (OR) with an anteroom, that room should be used for TB cases.

• If surgery is needed, use a room or suite of rooms that meet requirements for AII rooms.

• If an AII or comparable room is not available for surgery or postoperative recovery, air-cleaning technologies (e.g., HEPA filtration and UVGI) can be used to increase the number of equivalent ACH.

• If the health-care setting has an anteroom, reversible flow rooms (OR or isolation) are not recommended by the American Institute of Architects or American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers, Inc.

• Bacterial filters should be used routinely in breathing circuits of patients with suspected or confirmed TB disease and should filter particles 0.3 μm in size in an unloaded and loaded situation with a filter efficiency of ≥95%.

• For HCWs present during surgery of a patient with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease, at least N95 disposable respirators, unvalved, should be worn.

• Standard surgical or procedure masks for HCWs might not have fitting or filtering capacity for adequate protection.

• If the patient has signs or symptoms of infectious TB disease (positive AFB sputum smear result), consider having the patient wear a surgical or procedure mask, if possible, before and after the procedure.

• Valved or positive-pressure respirators should not be used because they do not protect the sterile surgical field.



Laboratories** • Conduct a laboratory-specific risk assessment.

• In general, biosafety level (BSL)-2 practices, procedures, containment equipment, and facilities are required for nonaerosol-producing manipulations of clinical specimens. BSL-3 practices, procedures, and containment equipment might be necessary for certain aerosol-generating or aerosol-producing manipulations.

• Environmental controls should meet requirements for clinical microbiology laboratories in accordance with guidelines by Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) and the AIA.

• Perform all manipulation of clinical specimens that could result in aerosolization in a certified class I or II biosafety cabinet (BSC).

• For laboratory workers who manipulate clinical specimens (from patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease) outside of a BSC, at least N95 disposable respirators should be worn.



Bronchoscopy suites†† • Use a dedicated room to perform bronchoscopy procedures.

• If a patient with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease must undergo bronchoscopy, schedule the procedure when a minimum number of HCWs and other patients are present, and schedule the patient at the end of the day.

• Do not allow another procedure to be performed in the bronchoscopy suite until sufficient time has elapsed for adequate removal of M. tuberculosis–contaminated air.

• Bronchoscopy suites should meet requirements for an AII room to be used for patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease.


• Closing ventilatory circuitry and minimizing opening of such circuitry of intubated and mechanically ventilated patients might minimize exposure.

• Keep patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease in the bronchoscopy suite until coughing subsides.

• For HCWs present during bronchoscopic procedures of a patient with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease, at least N95 disposable respirators should be worn. Protection greater than an N95 (e.g., a full-facepiece elastomeric respirator or powered air-purifying respirator [PAPR]) should be considered.




Sputum induction andinhalation therapy rooms

• Implement a written infection-control plan in the setting. Update annually.

• Use a dedicated room to perform sputum induction and inhalation therapy.

• Schedule sputum induction and inhalation therapy when a minimum number of HCWs and other patients are present, and schedule the patient at the end of the day.

• Do not perform another procedure in a booth or room where sputum induction or inhalation therapy on a patient with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease was performed until sufficient time has elapsed for adequate removal of M. tuberculosis-contaminated air.

• Perform sputum induction and inhalation therapy in booths with special ventilation, if possible. If booths are not available, sputum induction or inhalation therapy rooms should meet requirements for an AII room to be used for patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease.


• Keep patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease in the sputum induction or inhalation therapy room after sputum collection or inhalation therapy until coughing subsides.

• For HCWs present during sputum induction and inhalation therapy of a patient with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease, a respirator with a level of protection of at least N95 disposable respirators should be worn. Respiratory protection greater than an N95 (e.g., a full-facepiece elastomeric respirator or PAPR) should be considered.




Autopsy suites • Ensure proper coordination between attending physician(s) and pathologist(s) for proper infection control and specimen collection during autopsies performed on bodies with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease.

• Allow sufficient time to elapse for adequate removal of M. tuberculosis-contaminated air before performing another procedure.

• Autopsy suites should meet ACH requirements for an AII room to be used for bodies with suspected or confirmed TB disease .


• Consider using local exhaust ventilation to reduce exposures to infectious aerosols and vapors from embalming fluids.

• For those present during autopsy on bodies with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease, a respirator with a level of protection of at least an N95 should be worn. Protection greater than an N95 (e.g., a full-facepiece elastomeric respirator or PAPR) should be considered, especially if aerosol generation is likely.

• If another procedure cannot be delayed until sufficient time has elapsed for adequate removal of M. tuberculosis-contaminated air, staff should continue wearing respiratory protection while in the room.


Outpatient Settings§§ in Which Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Infectious TB Disease are Expected to be EncounteredSetting Administrative Controls Environmental Controls Respiratory-protection

Controls• Perform an annual risk

assessment for the setting.

• Develop and implement a written infection-control plan for the setting and evaluate and update annually.




• Environmental controls should be implemented based on the types of activities that are performed.

• Patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease requiring transport should be transported as discussed below under Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

• For HCWs, visitors,¶ and others entering an AII room of a patient with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease, at least N95 disposable respirators should be worn.

• If the patient has signs or symptoms of infectious TB disease (positive AFB sputum smear result), consider having the patient wear a surgical or procedure mask, if possible (e.g., if patient is not using a breathing circuit), during transport, in waiting areas, or when others are present.

• If risk assessment indicates that respiratory protection is needed, drivers or HCWs who are transporting patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease in an enclosed vehicle should wear at least an N95 disposable respirator. The risk assessment should consider the potential for shared air.



TB treatment facilities¶¶ • Physically separate immunosuppressed patients from those with suspected or confirmed infectious TB.

• Schedule appointments to avoid exposing HIV-infected or other severely immunocompromised persons to M. tuberculosis.

• If patients with TB disease are treated in the clinic, at least one room should meet requirements for an AII room.


• Perform all cough-inducing or aerosol-generating procedures by using environmental controls (e.g., booth) or in an AII room.

• Keep patients in the booth or AII room until coughing subsides.

• Do not allow another patient to enter the booth or AII room until sufficient time has elapsed for adequate removal of M. tuberculosis contaminated air.


• If the patient has signs or symptoms of infectious TB disease (positive AFB sputum smear result), consider having the patient wear a surgical or procedure mask, if possible, during transport, in waiting areas, or when others are present.



Medical offices andambulatory-care settings

• Implement a written infection-control plan in the setting. Update annually.

• In medical offices or ambulatory care settings where patients with TB disease are treated, at least one room should meet requirements for an AII room to be used for patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease .

• For HCWs in medical offices or ambulatory care settings with patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease, at least N95 disposable respirators should be worn.




Dialysis units • Schedule dialysis for patients with TB disease when a minimum number of HCWs and other patients are present and at the end of the day to maximize the time available for removal of airborne contamination.

• Perform dialysis for patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease in a room that meets requirements for an AII room.




• If risk assessment indicates the need for respiratory protection, drivers or HCWs who are transporting patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease in an enclosed vehicle should wear at least an N95 disposable respirator. The risk assessment should consider the potential for shared air.



Dental-care settings • If possible, postpone dental procedures of patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease until the patient is determined not to have TB disease or to be noninfectious.

• Treat patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease in a room that meets requirements for an AII room.


• For dental staff performing procedures on a patient with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease, at least N95 disposable respirators should be worn.


Nontraditional Facility-Based Settings


• Perform an annual risk assessment for the setting.

• Develop and implement a written infection-control plan for the setting and evaluate and update annually.




• Environmental controls should be implemented based on the types of activities that are performed.

• Patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease requiring transport should be transported as discussed in the EMS section.


• If the patient has signs or symptoms of infectious TB disease (positive AFB sputum smear result), consider having the patient wear a surgical or procedure mask, if possible (e.g., if patient is not using a breathing circuit), during transport, in waiting areas, or when others are present.



EMS • Include exposed emergency medical HCWs in the contact investigation of patients with TB disease if administrative, environmental, and respiratory-protection controls for TB infection control were not followed.

• Patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease requiring transport should be transported in an ambulance whenever possible. The ambulance ventilation system should be operated in the non-recirculating mode, and the maximum amount of outdoor air should be provided to facilitate dilution. If the vehicle has a rear exhaust fan, use this fan during transport. Airflow should be from the cab (front of vehicle), over the patient, and out the rear exhaust fan.

• If an ambulance is not used, the ventilation system for the vehicle should bring in as much outdoor air as possible, and the system should be set to non-recirculating. If possible, physically isolate the cab from the rest of the vehicle and have the patient sit in the back.

• If risk assessment indicates the need for respiratory protection, drivers or HCWs who are transporting patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease in an enclosed vehicle should wear at least an N95 disposable respirator. The risk assessment should consider the potential for shared air.




Medical settings incorrectional facilities

• Follow recommendations for inpatient and outpatient settings as appropriate. In waiting rooms or areas, follow recommendations for TB treatment facilities.

• If possible, postpone transporting patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease until they are determined not to have TB disease or to be noninfectious.

• At least one room should meet requirements for an AII room.


• When transporting patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease in a vehicle (ideally an ambulance), if possible, physically isolate the cab (the front seat) from rest of the vehicle, have the patient sit in the back seat, and open the windows.

• For HCWs or others entering the AII room of a patient with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease, at least N95 disposable respirators should be worn.




Home-based health-careand outreach settings

• Patients and household members should be educated regarding the importance of taking medications, respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette procedures, and proper medical evaluation.

• If possible, postpone transporting patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease until they are determined not to have TB disease or to be noninfectious.

• Certain patients can be instructed to remain at home until they are determined not to have TB disease or to be noninfectious.

• Do not perform cough-inducing or aerosol-generating procedures unless appropriate environmental controls are in place, or perform those procedures outside, if possible.

• For HCWs entering the homes of patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease, at least N95 disposable respirators should be worn.

• For HCWs transporting patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease in a vehicle, consider at least an N95 disposable respirator.




Long-term–care settings(e.g., hospices and skillednursing facilities)

• Patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease should not be treated in a longterm–care setting, unless proper administrative and environmental controls and a respiratory-protection program are in place.

• Do not perform cough-inducing or aerosol-generating procedures unless appropriate infection controls are in place, or perform those procedures outside, if possible.


TB Screening Procedures for Settings (or HCWs) Classified as Low Risk

Symptom screen TST or BAMT Chest radiograph

Baseline Upon hire Upon hire If baseline positive or newly positive TST or BAMT or documentation of treatment for LTBI or TB disease

Repeat Not necessary unless an exposure occurs

Not necessary unless an exposure occurs

Not needed unless symptoms or signs of TB disease develop or unless recommended by a clinician

TB Screening Procedures for Settings (or HCWs) Classified as Medium Risk



Repeat Annually Annually if baseline negative


TB Screening Procedures for Settings (or HCWs) Classified as Potential Ongoing Transmission



Repeat Every 8–10 weeks until lapses in IC have been corrected, and no additional evidence of ongoing transmission is apparent


Special Issues

TB-IC in the era of expanding HIV care and treatment

Persons with undiagnosed, untreated and potentially contagious TB are often seen in HIV care settings

TB is the most common opportunistic infection and a leading cause of death in persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)

TB-IC in the era of expanding HIV care and treatment In high TB burden settings, up to 10% of persons with HIV

infection may have previously undiagnosed TB at the time of HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), persons without TB disease at the time of HIV diagnosis may still develop TB in later years, between 30% and 40% of PLWHA will develop TB in their lifetime

PLWHA may become infected or re-infected with TB if they are exposed to someone with infectious TB disease. They can progress rapidly from TB infection to disease – over a period of months rather than a period of years as is common for persons with a normal immune system

They will then be at risk of spreading M. tuberculosis in the community as well as to fellow patients, healthcare workers, and staff at their HIV care clinics and in community programs

Administrative controls Infection control plan

Administrative support for procedures in the plan, including quality assurance

Training of staff

Education of patients and increasing community awareness

Coordination and communication with the TB program

IC plan1. Screening patients to identify persons with symptoms of

TB disease or who report being under investigation or treatment for TB disease

2. Providing face masks or tissues to persons with symptoms of TB disease (“TB suspects”) or who report being under investigation or treatment for TB disease (“TB suspects or cases”), and providing waste containers for disposal of tissues and masks

3. Placing TB suspects and cases in a separate waiting area

4. Triaging TB suspects and cases to the front of the line to expedite their receipt of services in the facility

IC plan5. Referring TB suspects to TB diagnostic services and

confirming that TB cases are adhering with treatment

6. Using and maintaining environmental control measures

7. Educating staff periodically on signs and symptoms of TB disease, specific risks for TB for HIV-infected persons, and need for diagnostic investigation for those with signs or symptoms of TB

8. Training and educating staff on TB, TB control, and the TB-IC plan

9. Monitoring the TB-IC plan’s implementation

Tuberculosis infection control program - CDC guidelines

Health & Medicine

Transcript of Tuberculosis infection control program - CDC guidelines